Leapmotor could build electric cars in Zaragoza
The initial plan was to build the model at the Polish plant in Tychy, but the Polish government’s support for the EU’s special tariffs on China-made EVs is making the company consider other options. Although Leapmotor International is 51 per cent owned by Stellantis and only 49 per cent by Leapmotor, the Chinese partner appears to have a say in such fundamental issues. As reported, other alternatives could include the German plant in Eisenach or the factory in Trnava, Slovakia.
According to information from La Tribuna de Automoción, the Stellantis plant in Figueruelas near Zaragoza is also being seriously considered. Citing industry sources, the report states that Leapmotor International is carrying out economic and industrial feasibility studies and is asking suppliers based in Spain for offers for the production of components.
Nothing has been finalised yet, but it should happen relatively quickly – regardless of whether production of the B10 is now located in Spain, Germany or Slovakia. After all, the B10 is still due to launch in 2025, presumably in the third quarter. However, it looks like it will come down to an existing Stellantis plant. Poland is not completely out of the running either, but the fact that alternatives are being sought so shortly before the planned market launch for political reasons alone makes you sit up and take notice. It is unclear how good the chances are for Eisenach. According to Spanish industry sources, Eisenach would have higher production costs than Trnava or the plant in the Spanish province of Aragon.
The fact that CATL is building a 50 GWh battery factory in the neighbourhood and that demand for the current models is not keeping the Stellantis plant at full capacity would speak in favour of Zaragoza. La Tribuna de Automoción reported in November 2024 that the Peugeot 208 and its electric version, which is currently being built on Line 1, will be built together with the Opel Corsa and Lancia Ypsilon (and their electric versions) on Line 2 from 2025 to 2027. Line 1 will be converted for the new STLA Small platform during this period.
In other words, the plant has capacity. But there is also a timetable for the modernisation work that needs to be kept. The Spanish portal assumes the work “will not take almost two years without activity.” However, if the Leapmotor project is awarded to Spain, the entire roadmap for the plant would have to be revised. Although current demand does not ensure full capacity utilisation, it is questionable whether another model that is not based on the same CMP or e-CMP platform can be accommodated with only one line at 50 per cent of capacity.
The Leapmotor B10 was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2024. The electric SUV is designed for global markets and uses the Leap 3.5 platform – it is not known how much effort would be required for joint production with Stellantis platforms. The Opel Grandland, a vehicle based on the STLA Medium, is being built in Eisenach. As this is also a mid-size electric SUV, there could be more synergies with the Leapmotor B10 than with the small cars from Zaragoza.
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